Sixers Hand Celtics First Home Loss
By Dan Bruno
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the host Boston Celtics, 115-109, at TD Garden on Thursday evening.
The Celtics got out to a god start at home and took a 34-26 lead after one quarter. The Sixers came out strong in the second and cut it to a two-point game, but the Celtics held the edge and took a three-point lead into halftime. Both teams came out strong in the third and the quarter featured multiple lead changes, before the Sixers took a one-point lead into the fourth. The Sixers carried the momentum into the fourth and held the lead through to the finish, as they outscored the Celtics 34-29 in the quarter, to earn their fourth straight win. This marks the Celtics' first home loss of the season.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 38 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and one block, in 36 minutes. Tobias Harris added 23 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal. Mike Scott added 15 points and four rebounds, while Josh Richardson finished with 14 points. The 76ers shot 50 percent from the field, including 14-of-28 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kemba Walker led the Celtics with 29 points and eight assists, in 36 minutes. Enes Kanter added 20 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks, in 24 minutes off the bench. Gordon Hayward added 19 points, five assists an four rebounds, while Daniel Theis chipped in 16 points and five rebounds. The Celtics shot 46 percent from the field, including 11-of-31 from deep.
The Celtics (17-7) will look to bounce back as they take on the Mavericks in Dallas on Wednesday. The Sixers (19-7) host the Pelicans on Friday.
The Celtics got out to a god start at home and took a 34-26 lead after one quarter. The Sixers came out strong in the second and cut it to a two-point game, but the Celtics held the edge and took a three-point lead into halftime. Both teams came out strong in the third and the quarter featured multiple lead changes, before the Sixers took a one-point lead into the fourth. The Sixers carried the momentum into the fourth and held the lead through to the finish, as they outscored the Celtics 34-29 in the quarter, to earn their fourth straight win. This marks the Celtics' first home loss of the season.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 38 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and one block, in 36 minutes. Tobias Harris added 23 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal. Mike Scott added 15 points and four rebounds, while Josh Richardson finished with 14 points. The 76ers shot 50 percent from the field, including 14-of-28 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kemba Walker led the Celtics with 29 points and eight assists, in 36 minutes. Enes Kanter added 20 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks, in 24 minutes off the bench. Gordon Hayward added 19 points, five assists an four rebounds, while Daniel Theis chipped in 16 points and five rebounds. The Celtics shot 46 percent from the field, including 11-of-31 from deep.
The Celtics (17-7) will look to bounce back as they take on the Mavericks in Dallas on Wednesday. The Sixers (19-7) host the Pelicans on Friday.
Cavs Topple Spurs in OT, 117-109
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the San Antonio Spurs in overtime, 117-109, at AT & T Center on Thursday night.
The Cavaliers (6-19) got off to a rare strong start in this interconference road battle, forging a 28-19 lead after one quarter and owning a 53-43 edge at halftime. Cleveland continued to match the Spurs (9-15) bucket for bucket in the third quarter, but they ultimately saw their 10-point lead evaporate during the final period, sending the game into overtime. The Cavaliers managed to reset themselves in the extra period, however, dominating on both sides of the floor to the tune of a 14-6 margin to notch a rare road victory.
Kevin Love led the Cavaliers with 30 points, adding 17 rebounds and two assists. Collin Sexton poured in 28 points and also supplied two rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jordan Clarkson delivered 25 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Cedi Osman contributed 15 points.
DeMar DeRozan paced the Spurs with 21 points, complementing them with four rebounds, four assists and two steals. LaMarcus Aldridge managed an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one block. Derrick White registered 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Patty Mills and Lonnie Walker generated matching 10-point tallies off the bench.
The Cavaliers remain on the road and face off with the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, while the Spurs remain home and tangle with the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon.
The Cavaliers (6-19) got off to a rare strong start in this interconference road battle, forging a 28-19 lead after one quarter and owning a 53-43 edge at halftime. Cleveland continued to match the Spurs (9-15) bucket for bucket in the third quarter, but they ultimately saw their 10-point lead evaporate during the final period, sending the game into overtime. The Cavaliers managed to reset themselves in the extra period, however, dominating on both sides of the floor to the tune of a 14-6 margin to notch a rare road victory.
Kevin Love led the Cavaliers with 30 points, adding 17 rebounds and two assists. Collin Sexton poured in 28 points and also supplied two rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jordan Clarkson delivered 25 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Cedi Osman contributed 15 points.
DeMar DeRozan paced the Spurs with 21 points, complementing them with four rebounds, four assists and two steals. LaMarcus Aldridge managed an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one block. Derrick White registered 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Patty Mills and Lonnie Walker generated matching 10-point tallies off the bench.
The Cavaliers remain on the road and face off with the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, while the Spurs remain home and tangle with the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon.
Mavs Outrun Pistons In Mexico City
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Detroit Pistons 122-111, at Mexico City Arena in Mexico City on Thursday evening.
The Pistons jumped out to a strong start, as they took an early 9-2 lead, but the Mavericks rallied back and outscored the Pistons 32-20, the rest of the way, to take a five-point lead into the second. The Pistons stayed strong in the second and claimed a seven-point lead with three minutes left in the half, but the Mavs closed the quarter on a 14-0 run, to take a 65-58 lead into halftime. The Mavs carried the momentum into the third and took an 18-point lead minutes into the third, but the Pistons managed to trim it to a 10-point game entering the final frame. The Mavs stayed strong through the fourth and completed the confident win in Mexico City.
Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 41 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, in 33 minutes. Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points and eight rebounds, while Seth Curry poured in 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Mavs shot 51 percent from the field, including 16-of-44 from long range.
Meanwhile, Andre Drummond led the Pistons with 23 points, 15 rebounds, three steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Derrick Rose added 19 points, four assists and two steals, while Markieff Morris added 16 points, off the bench. The Pistons shot 45 percent from the field, including 15-of-42 from the field.
The Pistons (10-15) will look to bounce back as they take on the Rockets in Houston on Saturday. The Mavs (17-7) play host to the Heat on Saturday.
The Pistons jumped out to a strong start, as they took an early 9-2 lead, but the Mavericks rallied back and outscored the Pistons 32-20, the rest of the way, to take a five-point lead into the second. The Pistons stayed strong in the second and claimed a seven-point lead with three minutes left in the half, but the Mavs closed the quarter on a 14-0 run, to take a 65-58 lead into halftime. The Mavs carried the momentum into the third and took an 18-point lead minutes into the third, but the Pistons managed to trim it to a 10-point game entering the final frame. The Mavs stayed strong through the fourth and completed the confident win in Mexico City.
Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 41 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, in 33 minutes. Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points and eight rebounds, while Seth Curry poured in 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Mavs shot 51 percent from the field, including 16-of-44 from long range.
Meanwhile, Andre Drummond led the Pistons with 23 points, 15 rebounds, three steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Derrick Rose added 19 points, four assists and two steals, while Markieff Morris added 16 points, off the bench. The Pistons shot 45 percent from the field, including 15-of-42 from the field.
The Pistons (10-15) will look to bounce back as they take on the Rockets in Houston on Saturday. The Mavs (17-7) play host to the Heat on Saturday.
Nuggets Defeat Trail Blazers, 114-99
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, 114-99, at Pepsi Center on Thursday.
A 33-26 first quarter really set the tone in this game, with Denver never surrendering the lead after that big start. In fact, the Nuggets held a double-digit lead for the final 10 minutes of action. The key for Denver was three-point shooting, hitting 18-of-36 while Portland connected on just 9-of-30. In addition, the Nuggets won the rebounding battle, 48-35, while shooting 48 percent from the field.
The Trail Blazers (10-16) were led by Hassan Whiteside, who tallied 33 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and four blocks on 15-of-21 from the field. Carmelo Anthony amassed 20 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks. C.J, McCollum amassed 15 points, two rebounds and two assists while Damian Lillard generated 13 points and 11 assists.
The Nuggets (15-8) were led by Nikola Jokic, who accumulated 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Will Barton totaled 15 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Gary Harris accumulated 15 points, one rebound and two assists while Jamal Murray collected 12 points, six rebounds and three assists. Jerami Grant led the bench with 20 points and five boards.
On deck for Denver is a home matchup versus the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. As for Portland, they travel to face the Phoenix Suns on Monday for their next fixture.
A 33-26 first quarter really set the tone in this game, with Denver never surrendering the lead after that big start. In fact, the Nuggets held a double-digit lead for the final 10 minutes of action. The key for Denver was three-point shooting, hitting 18-of-36 while Portland connected on just 9-of-30. In addition, the Nuggets won the rebounding battle, 48-35, while shooting 48 percent from the field.
The Trail Blazers (10-16) were led by Hassan Whiteside, who tallied 33 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and four blocks on 15-of-21 from the field. Carmelo Anthony amassed 20 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks. C.J, McCollum amassed 15 points, two rebounds and two assists while Damian Lillard generated 13 points and 11 assists.
The Nuggets (15-8) were led by Nikola Jokic, who accumulated 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Will Barton totaled 15 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Gary Harris accumulated 15 points, one rebound and two assists while Jamal Murray collected 12 points, six rebounds and three assists. Jerami Grant led the bench with 20 points and five boards.
On deck for Denver is a home matchup versus the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. As for Portland, they travel to face the Phoenix Suns on Monday for their next fixture.